“How lavish! Today, we eat and drink like the gods in Asgard.”
Ari takes out two cups. I just have to lie in these furs while the man tends to my every need. He spoils me like a child. I greedily eye his body as he opens my gourd. His powerful profile—trimmed beard lying over his cleft chin, solid as rock. The muscles of his neck connect to broad shoulders, the wings of his frame holding up muscular arms. I guess Jotnar blood is good blood.
He passes me a cup of my own concoction. Our fingers brush, sending a tingling torrent up my arm and down my spine. A touch can do more than words. He holds up his cup to me.
“To your magic,” he says with a grin.
“And to yours. I’ll show you my Thrust after dinner,” I reply, returning the grin.
I smack my drink into his. We raise our hands, cheering, and empty them together. I have mastered Thrust. My powers are growing. With others, I am either a slave or a Volva. Beneath or above. With Ari, we are shoulder to shoulder.
We are equals.
What a perfect moment to share.
This will be a good night.
CHAPTER 65
Thunder roars in the distance. We’ve been eating for a good while. Laughing and talking about everything under the sun. From animals to locals to myths and legends. Our lighthearted banter has raised my spirits, aided by Ari’s impeccable cooking.
Not one boring moment. Not even the silent ones, where we enjoy the pleasures of good food, good drink and good company. The spatter of rain against the roof encloses us in this intimate space—just the two of us. I wish this could last forever.
“You eat like a warrior,” says Ari with a grin.
“You cook like a woman,” I respond.
He laughs at my horrible insult.
“Responding to a compliment with an attack? Classic Kilda!”
“A compliment? Saying a woman eats like a warrior?”
“Fair enough,” he laughs. “I was just saying?—”
“Next, you’ll probably say I shit like a bear.”
His mouth drops. He’s acting mortified but I’m sure he is genuinely shocked.
“Young lady,” he says like a horrified father. “Never have I heard.”
I burst into giggles—he joins me. I snort horribly and his laughter picks up further. Covering my nose in embarrassment, I’m unable to control myself.
“I… I thought… skalds had heard it all.” Another snort escapes.
He breathes deep, regaining composure.
“I’ve heard and seen many things, but never has a little girl bragged of her ability to shit like a bear.”
He only intensifies my snickering—my stomach muscles feel like they may snap. I’m almost choking to death.
“I did not say that!” I insist. “Besides, I’m a woman, not a girl.”
“But you are little,” he concludes with a finger in the air.
“That, I can’t deny.”
We laugh together again though I don’t know why at this point. Shitting bears and little girls and women—not that funny. But together, we can’t help ourselves. It’s just a good time, and for me, a delightful release from the tormenting pressure since Eidunn’s visit. For a second I think of Eidunn, her plight. But I discard it quickly. She doesn’t want my help. I can’t save the world. Not yet at least. Tonight is for me. Tonight my focus is on this gorgeous man across the table.
